Wooden wall panelling, candles, arched windows… pub ‘how refurbs should be done’

TO the locals, The Lord Southampton pub in NW5 looked like a lost cause – boarded up and destined for extinction. These are rough times for the nation’s pubs: an average of 50 closed every month in England and Wales during the first half of last year.

In that context, it feels near miraculous to witness the wondrous re-opening of this public house, first built in 1752 and tucked away on a back street not far from Hampstead Heath.

The new owners, Amy and Phil, discovered the place last summer. “It was quite derelict,” explains Phil, but the original features were still intact beneath the grime.

The couple have done a terrific job in refurbishing the pub, located a 10-minute walk from Chalk Farm tube and right opposite the priory of St Dominic’s, the Catholic church.

A key feature is the wooden wall panelling from the 1920s, now restored to its former glory.
You will find candles flickering in the old fireplaces; high corner shelves lined with trailing pot plants; tall arched windows; and strips of wall painted a lovely hue of deep green.

Amy and Phil aim to create their take on a traditional, old-fashioned pub – somewhere unfussy and unpretentious.

You won’t find big screens, DJs or loud music. The vibe is mellow and relaxed, with a low soundtrack of funk, disco, rock and other tunes.

The drinks choice, served from the U-shaped bar, is straightforward and includes Guinness, Grolsch, a craft IPA and a couple of real ales. The long wine list starts at £6.50 per glass.

The food menu is succinct. The list of snacks stars a pork and stilton sausage roll, duck and pork terrine and crispy new potatoes with smoked paprika and aioli, all priced £5-7.50

The plan with the main dishes is to keep it simple, offering a couple of specials each week and a cracking Sunday roast.

Top marks for the glistening anchovies served on a slice of toast slathered in cold butter then decorated with a tangle of pink pickled onions (£6.50).

The beef shin cottage pie (£12) was well-made. I particularly loved the side salad composed of perky fresh lettuce and radicchio leaves tossed in a sweet honey dressing. Excellent value, too, at just £4.

The crowd in here is a mix of all ages. Locals Phil and Martha are back in – they first started visiting The Lord Southampton 43 years ago.

A younger couple sat in the corner sipping craft beers and playing cards.

“This is somewhere you can just go to eat, drink and talk to each other,” says Phil. “That’s quite hard to find now.”

The Lord Southampton is a little off the beaten track, so it may take time for word to spread. But the rave reviews are already piling up online. “One of the most beautiful pubs you will go in,” exclaims one visitor.

Another simply states: “This is how pub refurbs should be done.”

The Lord Southampton
2 Southampton Road, NW5
info@thelordsouthampton.com
www.thelordsouthampton.com
@lordsouthamptonpub